The Zingerman’s Bakehouse was very pleased to welcome some of our friends from Hungary last week. Pastry chefs Augusta Auguszt and Gábor Komlós stopped by on whirlwind tour of the U.S. that included pastry shops in Chicago and New York City, among other destinations.

While they were in town, they stopped into one of our BAKE! classes to share some pastry-making tips and prepare their signature E-80 Cake, which was created by Augusta’s grandfather, Elemér Auguszt.

Among the visitors was Le Dog proprietor, Jules Van Dyck-Dobos. Mr. Van Dyck-Dobos, who is Hungarian, took the opportunity to chat with Augusta and Gábor and share a vintage Hungarian cookbook he’d inherited from his grandmother.

Augusta is part of a Hungarian pastry dynasty that spans five generations. The first shop was founded by Augusta’s great, great grandfather Elek Auguszt in 1870. The shop was well known throughout Hungary, and the business has survived oppression and closure under the Third Reich, and then as a satellite state of the U.S.S.R. But, the Auguszt family persevered, and their reputation for excellent traditionally made pastries and breads helped sustain their shop through the tough times.

The shop has since grown into three shops, Auguszt Cukrászda, Belvárosi Auguszt, and Auguszt Pavilion. All three are still managed by the Auguszt family, including Augusta, her mother Olga, and her sister, Flora.

Augusta and Gábor are just two of the many new friends made on our trips to Hungary, and whose collective input has been very helpful in developing the selection of Hungarian foods at the Bakehouse. Come by for a taste!If you’re interested in tasting this delicious and unique cuisine at the source, Zingerman’s Food Tours will be leading a trip to Hungary, October 15-25, 2013.

Szia!